Norton "Fired" From Avengers Cast

[phantom stranger]

I read this rumor the other day but had hoped it wasn't true. Personally, my favorite Bruce Banner will always be Bill Bixby. But I liked Norton's portrayal and I hate unnecessary cast changes.

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/exclusive-marvel-confirms-they-will-hire-new-hulk-for-avengers

[gordonblu]

Further reason for me to distrust Marvel Studios as a quality film company.

[Seantastic]

I've heard that ist because he was a dick on the set of TIH, don't know if its true or whatever, but I just hope now that there isn't any Banner in the Avengers film, that way it still links with TIH, and doesn't make that a waste of time

[The Joker]

Further reason for me to distrust Marvel Studios as a quality film company.

Marvel's definately made some particularly shoddy decisions as of late.

Seriously, does dumping Norton whos reportedly difficult to work with, only to turn right back around and make an offer to Joaquin Phoenix (isnt he a rapper now!?!) who also has a rep for being difficult on set, make any sense?

[Paul (ral)]

I thought he retired.

Although he has a new film coming out called I'm Still Here: The Lost year of Joaquin Phoenix.

[Grissom]

I liked Norton's performance and it's a shame they're gonna replace him. Whether he was difficult on the set or not, he still gave a worthwile performance. Not every actor is gonna be all roses on set.

Anway hope whoever they find, does a great job and I'll take the Phoenix rumour as just rumour.

[phantom stranger]

Whether or not Norton is a jerk, I don't know.

What I do know is that Marvel's "grand plan" appears to be rather flimsy. First of all, they had Sam Jackson play Nick Fury in Iron Man without signing him on to future films. Then when they wanted to do just that, they reportedly low-balled him. He made a fuss about it and subsequently a deal was made.

Now it's their checkbook. They can offer whatever they want.

But you would think that they would've handled the various contract negotiations BEFORE giving him the cameo. That's not just smart film-making--it's also good business-sense.

Ditto with Norton. They should've had him locked into Avengers from Day One. They could've always backed out. That's the way these deals always work.

For example, Brandon Routh signed onto several Superman films. It doesn't mean WB HAS to make Superman films with him--just that Routh is contractually obligated to do so if WB so chooses.

[The Dark Knight]

Geez, way to go Marvel. Two Hulk actors burned through just like that.

It will be interesting to see how the Thor and Captain America movies do box-office wise.

I realize they don't want to hire any old two bit whack job, but if it were me, I think one area where you could save money is the Hulk casting. Conceivably, you would not have a lot of screen time as Banner, and most of it would be CGI as the Hulk.

[The Joker]

What I do know is that Marvel's "grand plan" appears to be rather flimsy. First of all, they had Sam Jackson play Nick Fury in Iron Man without signing him on to future films. Then when they wanted to do just that, they reportedly low-balled him. He made a fuss about it and subsequently a deal was made.

Same scenario happened with Mickey Rourke. Marvel's initial offer to him was pretty low which resulted in Rourke declining to appear in Iron Man 2.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=52979

Needless to say, a deal was eventually made. But this seems like a pattern with Marvel (which may account for why Marvel scraping the bottom of the barrel with a chump like Channing Tatum actually being on the final short list for Captain America).


And here's a message from Norton himself addressing the situation via Facebook.

[Seantastic]

Wow, what a class act, but if I was him, I'd pull a Fight Club, thats right, he should of gotten Brad Pitt to knock hell out of Marvel